National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of Western North America

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

New enthusiasts are flocking in record numbers to the fascinating pastime of birding. National Geographic has been meeting their need for clear and accurate information for 25 years with our million-selling Field Guide to the Birds of North America. Now, to better serve the expanding market, weve customized our field-guide format to offer unique coverage for birders east or west of the Rocky Mountains. These new volumes deliver in-depth information on every bird officially recorded in the specified area, with illustrated accounts of the different plumages and life stages, along with hundreds of color-coded range maps.

Unique features set these guides apart from the competition and promise to win a new generation of readers: A full-color visual index, printed on the inside covers, makes the content accessible visually —a real boon to beginning and intermediate birders. Annotated artwork highlights birds key physical features, making identification easier. Thumb-tabs help readers find information fast. Durable covers stand up to outdoor use, with integrated quick-reference flaps that double as place-markers.Field Guide to the Birds of Western North America offers 750 regular species, 600 new range maps, 100 casual and accidental birds, and 55 rarities.

Synopsis:

Sized for backpack or pocket, each 272-page volume highlights a single state or two and covers 125 species (each with a photograph and range map), with local expertise provided by experienced birders.

Even novice birders will make quick and confident identifications thanks to the uncluttered, easy-to-use format. An introductory locator map pinpoints top birding sites, and customized range maps detail each species' winter, breeding, migration, and resident ranges.

New York boasts a rich mix of city and country birds, from Long Island waterfowl to Niagara's famous gulls and various high-latitude Adirondack species. Springtime hawk-watching makes Derby Hill Bird Observatory a favorite; at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in the Finger Lakes, seasonal migrations promise sightings galore, while New York City's Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge shelters birds of interest all year.

About the Author

Jonathan Alderfer is a widely published author and field guide illustrator. He is co-author, with Jon L. Dunn, of National Geographic Birding Essentials, co-editor of National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, 5th edition, and editor of National Geographic Complete Birds of North America. He is also chief consultant for the National Geographic Birding program.

Jon L. Dunn is an expert on the identification and distribution of North American birds. Dunn is a co-author of National Geographic Birding Essentials. He served as chief consultant for four previous editions of National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, and as editor of the fifth.

What Our Readers Are Saying

Average customer rating based on 1 comment:

njcur, July 18, 2009 (view all comments by njcur)
This is a beautiful as well as very useful book. Very nicely bound trade paperback. It has wonderful illustration with descriptions and maps right across from the plates. Great tabs allow quick access to sections. The plates show birds in flight as well as at rest and often include small close ups of feathers or beaks or other small areas where a slight variation can really help identification. The index is clear with Latin and common names for birds. Really easy to use. A must addition to any birder's library.

Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No(2 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)

"Synopsis"
by Ingram,
Sized for backpack or pocket, each 272-page volume highlights a single state or two and covers 125 species (each with a photograph and range map), with local expertise provided by experienced birders.

Even novice birders will make quick and confident identifications thanks to the uncluttered, easy-to-use format. An introductory locator map pinpoints top birding sites, and customized range maps detail each species' winter, breeding, migration, and resident ranges.

New York boasts a rich mix of city and country birds, from Long Island waterfowl to Niagara's famous gulls and various high-latitude Adirondack species. Springtime hawk-watching makes Derby Hill Bird Observatory a favorite; at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in the Finger Lakes, seasonal migrations promise sightings galore, while New York City's Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge shelters birds of interest all year.

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